By OUR CORRESPONDENTMuscat – Orbital Kinetics Bureau (OKB), an Omani space technology consultancy, and Launch On Demand (LOD), a US-based provider of launch support and spaceport solutions, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to establish National Space Academy – a comprehensive workforce development initiative aligned with Oman’s National Space Programme and Vision 2040. The agreement establishes a framework for regulatory capacity building, executive leadership programmes, technical training for engineers and operators, and certification programmes aligned with international standards including FAA Part 450/420 requirements. The agreement directly addresses the workforce capability gap identified as Oman’s primary constraint in achieving operational space launch readiness. The National Space Academy will ensure we have the skilled workforce to seize this opportunity,“ said Balushi. The academy targets over 500 certified professionals by 2028 and aims to establish Oman as the GCC’s regional centre of excellence for space workforce development.